Covid: NHS long waits 100 times higher than before (England)

[Northerner]

The number of patients in England waiting over a year for routine hospital care is now 100 times higher than before the pandemic, figures show.

Nearly 163,000 out of the 4.4 million on the waiting list at the end of October had waited over 12 months for operations such as hip replacements.

There were just 1,600 year-long waiters in February, NHS England data shows.

The Royal College of Surgeons warned patients were being left in pain unable to carry on with "day-to-day life".

"Yet again, these waiting time figures drive home the devastating impact Covid has had on wider NHS services," RCS president Prof Neil Mortensen said.

It was a "national crisis" that could take two to three years to tackle, he added.

The number of long waits is now at its highest level since 2008.

Covid: NHS long waits 100 times higher than before

Nearly 163,000 people had been waiting over a year at the end of October, compared with 1,600 in February.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[grovesy]

I am not suprised. Have you seen the BBC Hospital programme and how they had problems trying to catch up on the backlog, as the cases of Covid start to rise again. These were mainly the most urgent ones too!

 

[trophywench]

Well - we have been watching it and I can't say it's been enjoyable - but there again it is very informative when you see what constant decisions they have to take on the hoof. I have even more admiration for the staff, and that was pretty high even before 'this lot', the stress alone would have completely finished off far too many people alive today.

 

[grovesy]

Well - we have been watching it and I can't say it's been enjoyable - but there again it is very informative when you see what constant decisions they have to take on the hoof. I have even more admiration for the staff, and that was pretty high even before 'this lot', the stress alone would have completely finished off far too many people alive today.

I thought it gave insights that many people would be unaware of.

 

[nonethewiser]

Dr did referral to podiatry dept 2 weeks back, got letter prompt enough from them to say waiting list is very long so could be some time, wish had money to go private.

 

[mikeydt1]

concentrated too much on covid and pushed other things to one side. too much using the virus as an excuse to cut vital services for other people.

i have been waiting a year for one service and got a letter to tell me they don't know when i could be seen, seriously. i have fibrosis so just hoping to god it hasn't got worse.

did people know the NHS has been rebranded as the National Covid Service. motto we treat everyone apart from those with other medical conditions.